Idiocerus cephalicus
This record describes Idiocerus cephalicus (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Form of verrucosus Ball, nearly, but with a more sloping face. Resembling rotundens DeL. and C. in size and color but without male antennal disc. Soiled creamy white with spots on vertex and very large triangles on scutellum. Antennal disc simple. Face less inflated than in coconinus , n. sp., forming an almost uniform curve. |
| Elytra | Elytra transparent, with faint tawny nervures, so that nervures of the under wing obscure the venation. Interruptions on nervures of elytra irregular and few. Color soiled white, a pair of small black spots on vertex and a pair of large triangles on scutellum, the latter extending up under the pronotum. |
| Elytra | Elytra subhyaline but the tawny nervures giving them a tawny tinge. (Ball & Parker, 1946) This is a strikingly distinct species that might be placed with rotundens except for the antennal character. (Ball & Parker, 1946) |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Auchenorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Membracoidea
- Family
- Cicadellidae (Typical Leafhoppers)
- Subfamily
- Eurymelinae
- Tribe
- Idiocerini
- Genus
- Idiocerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California (type locality: Palomar Mountain)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Calocedrus decurrens (California incense-cedar)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Idiocerus cephalicus Ball & Parker, 1946
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Idiocerus cephalicus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Idiocerus cephalicus
What is Idiocerus cephalicus?
Idiocerus cephalicus is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Idiocerus cephalicus?
4.5-5mm
How do you identify Idiocerus cephalicus?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Form of verrucosus Ball, nearly, but with a more sloping face. Resembling rotundens DeL. and C. in size and color but without male antennal disc. Soiled creamy white with spots on vertex and very large triangles on scutellum. Antennal disc simple. Face less inflated than in coconinus , n. sp., forming an almost uniform curve. |
| Elytra | Elytra transparent, with faint tawny nervures, so that nervures of the under wing obscure the venation. Interruptions on nervures of elytra irregular and few. Color soiled white, a pair of small black spots on vertex and a pair of large triangles on scutellum, the latter extending up under the pronotum. |
| Elytra | Elytra subhyaline but the tawny nervures giving them a tawny tinge. (Ball & Parker, 1946) |
Where is Idiocerus cephalicus found?
Range: California (type locality: Palomar Mountain)
What does Idiocerus cephalicus eat?
The diet of the Idiocerus cephalicus includes Calocedrus decurrens (California incense-cedar).